‘We…’

Upon arriving to AA we are greeted with the ‘We…’ of the first step. ‘We’ are not alone, we are in the same boat as others, suffering from the same disease of mind and body. That ‘We…’ also signifies the collective wisdom of the membership of AA. The steps are the result of the collective experience and wisdom. ‘We’ can feel at home anywhere in AA world wide. Home for us is where AA is. Want to find someplace where  you’ll be understood? Find an AA meeting place. “Here are the steps WE took, which are suggested as a program of recovery: 1. WE… (Alcoholics Anonymous page 59 emphasis added) There is a certain comfort knowing that others that have taken these steps have successfully recovered from alcoholism.

Even those of us who are rebels must admit to a certain security in knowing that if our way doesn’t work, there is always the  Big Book to fall back on. Those of us that have survived trying it our own way were grateful for the fail-safe of the 12 step program in the Big Book. ‘WE’ trudge the path taken by others before us. The program of the Big Book being passed on by sponsors, traced all the way back to Bill W and Dr Bob. ‘We’ are not and need not ever be alone.